'Smart Webber will be team player'

Christian Horner has stopped short of ordering Mark Webber to move over for Sebastian Vettel but says he expects him to play the team game...

Christian Horner has stopped short of ordering Mark Webber to move over for Sebastian Vettel but says he expects him to play the team game.

With 75 points still in play, Webber is 73 behind Championship leader and team-mate Vettel meaning the Aussie's hopes of claiming the crown are all but over.

Vettel's chances, though, are very good as the reigning World Champion has a 13-point advantage over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

He also, at least according to Horner, has a team-mate who will "want to see" Red Bull succeed.

"Mark is a strong competitor and he is a big team player," the team boss told Autosport

"I am quite convinced that he will want to see the team achieve its best possible results.

"I am sure as a team player, if required, he will do everything to support the team.

"Mathematically now it is very difficult for him to win the Championship and he is a smart guy.

"He has been an important part of the team and I have every confidence that he will be doing his best to help the team achieve its objectives for the Championship."

Asked about whether any direction instructions had been handed down to Webber, Horner said: "I think you can talk about so many scenarios and then a scenario you haven't talked about is the one that comes up.

"Mark is a bright guy, and he has been around a long time. He is a key member of the team and I think that he will be able to do his best.

"His primary objective is to make sure we achieve the Constructors' Championship and for us that we have got both drivers ahead of Fernando.

"He was desperately unlucky last week not to keep Fernando behind after having to run reduced power and KERS for most of the race. So he will be driving his best to ensure that we have got two Red Bulls right up the front end."